Big game fishing hooks impressive profits
Breakwater Motel on Bayview Road at Paihia is perfectly positioned to ride the visitor demand for one of the great tourist destinations in NZ
New Zealand’s Bay of Islands is one of the most spectacular big game fishing destinations in the world, made internationally famous in the 1920s by the best-selling American adventure writer Zane Grey.
The dazzling collection of 140 subtropical islands on the east coast of New Zealand’s Far North District remains a tourist hotspot to this day. And the Breakwater Motel on Bayview Road at Paihia is perfectly positioned to ride that huge visitor demand.
Hayden Rasmusem from the agency Barfoot & Thompson is marketing the 25-room property for NZD$1,600,000 and says it is centrally located for everything that has made the area famous – the superb scenery, the breathtaking sailing, and the astonishing marlin fishing.
“If you want to chase the big marlin, this is the place to come,” Mr Rasmusem said. “And people come from around the world to do it.
“The Bay of Islands is one of the great tourist destinations in New Zealand, and the Breakwater is a long-established business that provides very healthy returns, certainly above industry averages.”
The Breakwater Motel is a favourite with TripAdvisor travellers and it has an immaculate presentation. Its waterfront location provides magnificent views overlooking the Paihia beach and it is only a short walk from the town hub.
It has 25 units of varying configuration and provides the size and scale to meet all visitor needs, and importantly, for the business to operate successfully and very profitably.
All the suites are fitted out and maintained to a superior luxury standard. The impressive owner’s quarters can be easily configured into two separate residences which could accommodate a large family or an owner and manager. The leasehold interest to 2054 provides security of tenure.
Mr Rasmusem said the meticulous standard of the property would suit anyone new to the accommodation industry, while experienced operators would recognise it as a business to trade up to. It offers a marvellous opportunity to live and work in the Bay of Islands, with all the fishing, boating, sailing and sunshine that comes with that address.
The Bay of Islands is in an area 60 kilometres north-west of the city of Whangarei, and 240 kilometres north of Auckland.
Zane Grey first advertised the magnificent lifestyle of the region to the world.
Grey published more than 90 books and sold more than 40 million copies. More than 100 movies have been based on his stories.
In 1925, the New Zealand government invited him and his entourage to see what the Bay of Islands could offer.
Grey was staggered by the natural beauty and hospitality of New Zealand, and stunned with the game fishing opportunities at the Bay of Islands. He introduced Kiwis to sport fishing for marlin and shark, and he caught many enormous fish. He also established a number of world records, and in 1926 hauled in a 50-kilogram Yellowtail Kingfish.
Grey visited the Bay of Islands many times during his life and built his base on the magnificent Urupukapuka Island – the largest in the group.
In 1927 he had a camp and lodge constructed at Otehei Bay on the island. The Zane Grey Sporting Club became a magnet for wealthy travellers from around the world. The remains of these buildings can still be seen on the Urupukapuka Archaeological Track, and are a fascinating reminder of New Zealand’s early 20th-century history.
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Grantlee Kieza OAM has won three Queensland Media Awards, two Australian Sports Commission Awards and has been a finalist for the Walkley and News Awards and for the Harry Gordon Award for Australian sports journalist of the year. In 2019 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing. You can find more of his work in our AccomNews & Resort News print magazines.
He has written 22 acclaimed books, including bestsellers Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross and Bert Hinkler.
